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He didn’t miss the stress of the word talking. He caught her meaning. “Honestly, no. I just talked with her today when I got the cinnamon rolls.” Adler packed the notebook and papers back into his case. He caught her gaze and held on.
“Be honest with me.” Leila didn’t move her gaze.
“Of course.”
“What really happened with you two?”
He just said he’d be honest, but how could he tell her his heart was taken and not with Desiree? “A relationship wasn’t going to work.”
“Oh, so Cassanova didn’t want to be tied down.” Leila rinsed their coffee cups in the sink, then leaned against it.
“Nope.” Adler answered. “Not with her anyway.” Their gaze locked for a moment, and the need to kiss her overwhelmed him.
Leila pulled her gaze from his and walked toward the door. “Well, thanks for coming over. I think we got a lot accomplished.”
He needed a brief second to get himself together, then cleared his throat. “Yeah. I think so too. It was nice spending time with you. Maybe Saturday would work for you to come check out the tents for a dry run, and then you could stay if you wanted. Tristan and I are having friends over for swimming and a cookout. A late 4thof July bash.” He stopped next to her at the door. “What do you think?”
She nodded and looked away. “I’ll check and see if my dad and Diane can watch Skylar. I’ll let you know.”
“Great. Thanks for a good time this morning. Maybe I’ll see you at the parade.” He gave her his crooked, toothy smile. He knew it didn’t have the normal effect on her as it did on others, but he didn’t want the normal effect. He wanted something real, and Leila was the one he wanted something real with.
Leila’s eyes lingered on Adler’s shoulders as he walked away, then slowly scanned down to his rear.
“Leila, seriously?” She quickly closed the door and leaned against it. “Not gonna happen. Again, he’s not father material. He hardly even acknowledges Skylar. You need to hold out for someone better. There’s no rush. The perfect man will come along. Someone who wants the best for the both of you.” Shetook a deep breath and finished the chores she needed to complete today. Laundry was the first on the list.
As she was hanging clothes, she remembered she had received a text while she and Adler were talking about the tent setup. It was Elizabeth. She and Jessica were meeting in front of the Boutique to watch the parade, then planned to grab a bite to eat at the Pizza Place before heading to the carnival. Great. She’d meet them there.
Even though she’d told Adler she wasn’t that interested, it did seem like the epitome of small-town life, and she figured if she was going to make this home, she might as well take it all in.
“Okay, Leila, if you plan on going to a 4th of July celebration you might as well look the part.” She changed into a red and white cami sundress and tied her hair with a blue scarf with stars she’d bought just the other day at the boutique. She admired herself in her mirror and nodded. “I look cute.” As soon as Skylar woke up, she’d bathe her and put her in her red, white, and blue dress, and they’d be ready to go.
Chapter 14
Elizabeth and Jessica were already in the boutique parking lot when Leila walked up with Skylar in her stroller.
“Hey, y’all!” Leila greeted them.
“Hey.” Elizabeth gave her a hug and bent down to tickle Skylar. “Hi, Skylar. Don’t you look adorable.”
“She does,” Jessica said as she picked up Skylar from her stroller.
“Where are the guys?” asked Leila.
Jessica tickled Skylar’s tummy. “Chad won’t be here. He’ll try and meet us later at the carnival.”
“Brady took Grant to get some ice cream. They should be back soon.”
The crowd was getting thick when Brady came back carrying a crying Grant.
Grant reached toward Elizabeth. “Aww, baby, what happened?” She rubbed his back as he cuddled into her chest.
“Let’s just say our little man is not a fan of clowns,” replied Brady. “One wanted to give him a balloon hat, and he wanted nothing to do with it.”
“Don’t worry, Grant. Clowns can be scary,” Jessica agreed.
A band could be heard in the distance. “Here comes the band.” Elizabeth bounced Grant to the beat as they grabbed a front-row view.
Leila took Skylar from Jessica and held her as the band marched by. She enjoyed herself as she cheered with the crowd at the high school band which played “God Bless America” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” There were floats and candy being thrown. Grant was given a couple suckers, and they dried up his tears. Skylar’s eyes bulged at all the noise and movement.
